If you’re looking for a delightfully festive and fun treat that’s as cute as it is delicious, you’re going to adore this Strawberry Santa Treats Recipe. These little holiday gems are not just a treat for your taste buds but also a joy to make—and honestly, handing them out at parties or family gatherings always earns you some serious kitchen cred. Keep reading because I’m going to walk you through everything you need to know to make these perfect Strawberry Santas that everyone goes crazy for!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy & Quick to Make: You’ll be amazed by how fast these little delights come together, perfect for last-minute holiday prep.
- Kid-Friendly Fun: My niece loves helping create the Santas, and it’s a sweet way to get kids involved in the kitchen.
- Festive Presentation: These instantly brighten up any dessert table or holiday platter with their charming Santa look.
- Delicious Flavor Combo: The creamy sweetness of the cheese frosting pairs perfectly with juicy strawberries — every bite’s a winner.
Ingredients You’ll Need
All the ingredients for this Strawberry Santa Treats Recipe are simple, fresh, and easy to find, but they work beautifully together to give you that perfect creamy and fruity balance. I’ll share some tips to help you pick the best strawberries and get your frosting just right.
- Cream cheese: Make sure it’s softened fully to get a super smooth and fluffy frosting without any lumps.
- Powdered sugar: Easy to mix with cream cheese for that sweet, silky texture—don’t skip the gradual addition to avoid graininess.
- Strawberries: Look for large, firm, and ripe berries so your Santas hold their shape and look adorable.
- Black decorating icing: Perfect for Santa’s little eyes — it adds personality with just a few dots!
- Round red sprinkles or red/orange decorating icing: These make the cutest noses. I love sprinkles for a nice texture contrast.
Variations
I love making this Strawberry Santa Treats Recipe my own by switching up small details depending on the occasion or dietary needs. Feel free to get creative—this recipe is forgiving and easy to customize!
- Chocolate Lovers’ Twist: I once dipped the bottom of each strawberry in melted dark chocolate for an indulgent version that was a hit at our holiday party.
- Dairy-Free Version: Using a vegan cream cheese alternative works surprisingly well, and I add a touch of vanilla to keep it extra tasty.
- Mini Santas: When I wanted bite-size treats, I chose smaller strawberries and reduced the cream cheese filling—perfect for snacking at Christmas movie nights.
- Colored Hats: Adding a sprinkle of crushed freeze-dried raspberries on the hats gives a more vibrant red, which impresses the kids every time.
How to Make Strawberry Santa Treats Recipe
Step 1: Whip Up the Cream Cheese Frosting
Start by beating the softened cream cheese until it’s light and fluffy. This step is key, so don’t rush it! Then, gradually add the powdered sugar on low speed to avoid a powdery mess and to ensure a smooth, sweet frosting. I like to scrape down the bowl a couple of times to mix everything evenly—it really makes a difference!
Step 2: Prep Your Strawberries Like Tiny Santas
Take your strawberries and cut off the stems to create a flat bottom so they stand upright easily. Then, slice about three-quarters of the way up from the bottom, making a smaller cone that will be the Santa hat. Set those little “hats” aside carefully so you can crown your Santas later. This part might feel a bit fiddly at first, but once you get the hang of it, it’s pretty fun.
Step 3: Pipe on the Cream Cheese Swirl
Fill a piping bag fitted with a round tip (I use a Wilton 2A, but any medium-large round tip works) with your cream cheese mixture. On the larger portion of the strawberry (the body), pipe an upward swirl with two layers of frosting. This creates Santa’s beard and adds that adorable fluffy look. Try to keep your swirl smooth and even—this is where practice makes perfect!
Step 4: Give Your Santas Character
Using the black decorating icing, dot two small eyes right in the middle of the cream cheese swirl. Then, add a single red sprinkle or a dab of red/orange decorating icing right below for the nose. This tiny detail brings your Santas to life—just wait till you see those little smiling faces!
Step 5: Top It Off with the Santa Hats
Place the reserved strawberry cone on top as the Santa hat. To finish, pipe a small dot of cream cheese frosting at the tip of the hat to resemble the pom pom. I like to pipe the pom pom in the direction of the hat, which just ups the cuteness factor. Voilà — you’ve got a festive Strawberry Santa ready to wow your guests!
Pro Tips for Making Strawberry Santa Treats Recipe
- Soften Cream Cheese Thoroughly: I once tried to beat cold cream cheese and ended up with lumps — don’t skip this step for a fluffy frosting.
- Use a Piping Bag or Ziploc: If you don’t have a piping bag, a simple Ziploc bag works wonders; just snip the corner cautiously to control your swirls.
- Choose Firm Strawberries: Juicy but firm strawberries hold the shape better and make your Santas look tidy and charming.
- Keep Decorations Minimal: Too many decorations can overwhelm the cute simplicity of this recipe – less is definitely more here.
How to Serve Strawberry Santa Treats Recipe
Garnishes
I keep it simple with a light dusting of powdered sugar snow or a few tiny mint leaves nearby for a pop of green—it complements the red and white perfectly and adds a fresh aroma. Sometimes, I scatter a few crushed pistachios on the serving platter for a little crunch and festive color.
Side Dishes
These Strawberry Santa Treats are perfect as a sweet bite alongside a warm cup of cocoa or mulled cider. I like pairing them with gingerbread cookies or simple sugar cookies to round out my holiday dessert spread.
Creative Ways to Present
For Christmas parties, I’ve arranged these Santas standing upright in a shallow bowl of crushed ice to keep them fresh and visually cool like a winter wonderland. Another fun idea is to place them on a festive platter lined with pine branches or holly sprigs for extra holiday cheer.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers (which is rare in my house), I store the Strawberry Santa Treats in an airtight container in the fridge. They keep well for about 24 hours — after that, the strawberries start releasing juice and your cream cheese frosting can get a little too soft, so I recommend enjoying them fresh when possible.
Freezing
I don’t usually freeze these because the texture of the strawberries and cream cheese frosting changes quite a bit, becoming watery and crumbly when thawed. If you want to prep ahead, I suggest assembling everything except the frosting and freezing just the strawberries (without the hat) for up to a week, then frosting and decorating fresh.
Reheating
No reheating needed here! These treats are best served cold or at room temperature. Just pull them out of the fridge 20 minutes before serving for the best flavor and cream cheese texture.
FAQs
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Can I make Strawberry Santa Treats Recipe ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the cream cheese frosting one day ahead and keep it refrigerated. However, assemble the strawberries and frosting no more than a few hours before serving to maintain freshness and prevent sogginess.
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What if I don’t have a piping bag?
No worries! You can use a resealable plastic bag (like a Ziploc) and snip a tiny corner off to pipe the cream cheese mixture. Just go slow with the snip size to control the flow.
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Are these treats safe for kids?
Yes! They’re perfect for kids, and little helpers enjoy decorating the eyes and noses. Just watch the knife for cutting strawberries, and supervise the use of the piping bag.
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Can I use another fruit instead of strawberries?
Strawberries are ideal since they shape like a cone, but you could experiment with small pears or apple wedges paired with frosting if you want to mix things up, though it won’t have quite the same festive look.
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How do I prevent cream cheese from becoming too runny?
Make sure your cream cheese is just softened, not melted. Beat it on medium speed and don’t overmix after adding powdered sugar. Chilling the frosting briefly before piping can also help keep it firmer.
Final Thoughts
I absolutely love how this Strawberry Santa Treats Recipe turns out every single time. It’s one of those simple but charming desserts that brings a smile to everyone’s face, and honestly, it takes me right back to cozy holiday afternoons in the kitchen with my family. If you want a recipe that’s quick, cute, and totally crowd-pleasing, give this one a try—you’ll feel so proud showing off your mini Santa masterpieces at your next gathering. Happy baking, my friend!
Print
Strawberry Santa Treats Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 20 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Description
Strawberry Santas are a delightful and festive holiday treat featuring fresh strawberries, a fluffy cream cheese frosting, and decorative details that transform them into adorable Santa Claus figures. This no-cook recipe is perfect for quick, charming dessert or party snacks.
Ingredients
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 8 ounce package cream cheese, softened
- 1¼ cups powdered sugar
Strawberries and Decorations
- 20 large strawberries
- 1.3 ounce tube black decorating icing
- 20 round red sprinkles or 1 (0.67 ounce) tube orange/red decorating icing
Instructions
- Prepare the cream cheese mixture: Use a mixer to beat the softened cream cheese until fluffy and smooth. Gradually add the powdered sugar while mixing on low speed to incorporate the sugar evenly without lumps, resulting in a thick, creamy frosting.
- Prepare the strawberries: Remove the strawberry stems to create a flat bottom surface so that they can stand upright. You will have strawberry cones ready to assemble.
- Cut the Santa hats: Slice each strawberry about three-quarters up from the bottom, separating a smaller cone to serve as the Santa hat. Set aside the smaller pieces.
- Fill piping bag: Transfer the cream cheese mixture into a piping bag fitted with a round tip (Wilton 2A or similar medium to large tip recommended).
- Pipe the beard and face: On the larger bottom portion of the strawberry, pipe the cream cheese in an upward swirling motion creating two distinct layers to resemble Santa’s fluffy beard and face.
- Decorate the eyes and nose: Using the black decorating icing, dot two eyes in the middle of the cream cheese swirl. Then place one round red sprinkle or use red/orange decorating icing to create the nose beneath the eyes.
- Assemble the Santa hat: Place the smaller cut strawberry cone on top of the cream cheese swirl as Santa’s hat. Pipe a small dot of cream cheese frosting on the tip of the strawberry hat to form the pom pom, optionally following the strawberry’s natural shape for a cute appearance.
Notes
- Make sure the cream cheese is completely softened before mixing to avoid lumps and achieve the best texture.
- If you don’t have a piping bag, a Ziploc bag with a snipped corner makes a suitable alternative.
- Store prepared Strawberry Santas in the refrigerator and consume within 1-2 days for optimal freshness.
- Use fresh, firm strawberries to ensure the Santas stand upright and hold their shape.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 stuffed strawberry
- Calories: 90
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 25mg
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
